Viking Myths you thought were true!

TL;DR

Viking myths debunked, including horned helmets, hygiene, height, weapons, and the true meaning of "Vikings."

Transcript

this episode is sponsored by wax go to wix.com forward slash go forward slash simple history to create a website now viking myths when we think of Norseman or the Vikings many myths come to mind created from the pencils of artists stage productions and Hollywood movie centuries later let's have a look at five of them they had horned helmets the Vik... Read More

Key Insights

• 😈 Viking helmets with horns are a myth created by artists in the 19th century due to their aesthetic appeal.
• 💪 Vikings were surprisingly hygienic, with evidence of grooming tools and a strong soap used for bleaching hair.
• 🙂 Vikings were slightly taller than the average Englishman of the time, but they were not giants as described in some literary accounts.
• 🔫 The spear was a more common weapon for Vikings compared to battle axes, as it required less iron and had greater versatility.
• 🍉 The term "Vikings" was primarily used to describe the activity of raiding, with only a small minority of Norsemen being warriors.
• ❓ The majority of Vikings were involved in peaceful professions such as farming, trading, craftsmanship, and merchant activities.
• 🥳 The Old Norse word for Saturday translates to "washing day," reflecting the Vikings' focus on hygiene.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why do we associate Vikings with horned helmets?

The image of Vikings wearing horned helmets was a result of artistic license in the 19th century, as no archeological evidence has been found to support this depiction.

Q: Were Vikings really unhygienic?

No, Vikings were actually more hygienic than commonly assumed, with evidence of grooming tools and a strong soap used for bleaching hair.

Q: Were Vikings giants?

While some writers described Vikings as giants, archaeological evidence suggests that they were slightly taller than the average Englishman of the time, but not exceptionally tall.

Q: What were the most common weapons used by Vikings?

While battle axes are often associated with Vikings, the spear was actually a more common weapon due to its cost-effectiveness and versatility for throwing or thrusting.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The iconic image of Vikings wearing horned helmets is a myth created by artists in the 19th century; archeologists have not found any such helmets.

• Contrary to popular belief, Vikings were actually hygienic, with evidence of combs, razors, and soap; the Old Norse word for Saturday translates to "washing day."

• While Vikings were not giants, as described by some writers, they were slightly taller than the average Englishman, with men averaging 172cm and women 160cm.

• Despite battle axes being commonly associated with Vikings, the spear was actually a more common weapon due to its low cost and versatility.

• The term "Vikings" was mainly used as a verb for raiding, with the majority of Norsemen involved in peaceful professions such as farming and trading.